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NRALIFR
Truck Camping Out West
Senior Member
Joined: 11/27/2005
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How many of us have them?
They seem to be exclusive to truck campers. My Lance has two Manchester 30 lb OPD horizontals, and I’ve noticed some TC’s have two 20 lb horizontals. All of the horizontals I’ve seen have a real level sensing gauge. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a vertical cylinder with a gauge. My camper has a built-in generator, so I like the 30 lb size, but I sometimes wish they were the traditional vertical style. Other than the fact that horizontal cylinders are significantly more expensive than verticals, I don’t really care which way they’re oriented.
The original cylinders in my camper were manufactured in 1999, so starting in ~2012 I was occasionally having the LP refillers telling me they needed to be recertified. It didn’t cost much, so no problem. The refillers don’t always care about the age of them, so the two cylinders got out of sync on their recertifications. Then I started having occasional issues with the seals leaking inside the valves that the Acme nut seats against. Even though the seal can be screwed out of the valve, it’s not individually replaceable. In fact, the newest version of these valves has an internal snap ring that prevents removing the seal.
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/35FTe3pl.jpg)
The old valves were Sherwood brand, and I was having trouble finding the correct valve part number, and a supplier for them, so about three years ago I started looking at new cylinders, thinking that would be the better way to go. Dang those things are expensive! About $200 each ![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/eek.gif "eek") But, I bit the bullet and ordered two.
Everything is good till about March of this year, when one of the “new” cylinders that had been refilled maybe 6-8 months prior, wouldn’t allow propane to flow out of the valve. I know about the OPD valves, Acme nut, and excess-flow check valve in the pigtails and how they work. I tried everything, and concluded there was something wrong with the valve itself. The new cylinders were about 3 months outside their 3 year warranty at that time ![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/mad.gif "mad")
I took the cylinder to the local Ferrellgas dealer, and they came to the same conclusion: Bad valve. Then they tried ordering a new valve. The part # is listed on a label on the new cylinders. There is no manufacturer name on the valve, and the label says to order from Manchester.
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/aOZ3P7yl.jpg)
They called me a few days later and said they were having trouble finding a supplier for the valve, so I started looking. At the time, every place that had the valve on their website was showing out of stock, and no way to order. There were several suppliers that had a V20691.1 valve in stock, but no V20691.2 (probably some minor design change).
One supplier (High Sky RV Parts) allowed me to get on a waiting list to be notified when it could be ordered. They aren’t terribly expensive, about $32.50 each. I did that, and a few weeks later, I got an email. I ordered two valves that day, and they submitted a special order to the manufacturer.
“Your parts have been processed with the manufacturer as a Special Order. It may take up to 3 weeks for your part to be delivered to you. Your patience is greatly appreciated. If you do not receive your order within this time frame, please contact us.”
Over a month later, I finally get the two valves. Yesterday, I took the “new” cylinder with the bad valve, and one of the old cylinders back to Ferrellgas to get them both re-valved and filled. I’m not going to be caught in this situation again.
Kudos to High Sky. At least they got me the valves. None of the delay was their responsibility. What an ordeal, though. I’ll go pick up the cylinders today or tomorrow and hopefully, that will be the end of it.
One final note; I have one more old 30 lb horizontal cylinder if anyone wants it. I’m in Little Rock, and you’ll have to come get it. It will need a new valve, and you’ll have to deal with the fact that it’s 20+ years old. I don’t really need two old cylinders sitting around though, and it’s still serviceable.
![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
2001 Lance 1121 on a 2016 F450
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jimh425
Western MT
Senior Member
Joined: 06/11/2006
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From what I read before, horizontal tanks had different rules regarding certifications. If I remember right, they didn’t need the newer type valves, but if you tank them out, I suppose they are vertical. ![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/wink.gif "wink")
They are usually found permanently mounted in Class As and some Class Cs. I think there are only a few older TCs that use horizontal tanks, but I’m sure people will point it out if I’m wrong. ![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/grin.gif "grin")
'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 Dbl Slide, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Air Bags, Hankook DH-01 225/19.5 Fs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.
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specta
utah
Senior Member
Joined: 06/18/2001
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Thanks for the heads up. I appreciate it.
I have one horizontal tank that needs a new valve. I guess now would be a good time to start looking for one seeing that I wont need it until spring time.
![[image]](https://i.postimg.cc/Jnh6xvNs/IMG-2992.jpg)
![[image]](https://i.postimg.cc/8PWSLfkq/IMG-2993.jpg)
I added a T and a long hose so if I happen to run out while camping I can use vertical tanks as a back up.
Kenny
2011 Chevy 2500 HD 6.0L 4wd
Regular cab. The best looking trucks.
1995 Lance 945 Onan QG 2500 LP
6580 lb truck 10540 fully loaded
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specta
utah
Senior Member
Joined: 06/18/2001
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jimh425 wrote:From what I read before, horizontal tanks had different rules regarding certifications. If I remember right, they didn’t need the newer type valves, but if you tank them out, I suppose they are vertical.
They are usually found permanently mounted in Class As and some Class Cs. I think there are only a few older TCs that use horizontal tanks, but I’m sure people will point it out if I’m wrong.
I was under the same impression that they didn't need to be recertified too.
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NRALIFR
Truck Camping Out West
Senior Member
Joined: 11/27/2005
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No, that exception for horizontals only applied to the ones that were manufactured prior to about 1998 (???) because there were no OPD valves available that could be retro’d into them. And,the exception only applied to the requirement that the valve had to be OPD. The tank itself still had to be in good shape, no dents or rust, etc.
Mine were always OPD, and all of the recertification rules apply to them that apply to vertical cylinders.
Also, the permanently mounted tanks are covered under different rules. Our removable cylinders are covered by DOT rules. The permanent tanks are covered by ASME rules.
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NRALIFR
Truck Camping Out West
Senior Member
Joined: 11/27/2005
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Specta, it looks like you have one of those old pre-OPD horizontals. Notice how the valve is sitting dead center in the tank end, and the valve handle is not the 3-corner style. There must be an internal dip tube that curves up into the vapor area of the cylinder. For that reason, there won’t be an OPD style valve available for that one. You may still be able to replace the valve with the same style and continue using the cylinder if it’s in good shape. I’m not sure what the rules say about revalving an older horizontal.
On the newer cylinder, the valve is offset from center, so it’s in the vapor area.
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specta
utah
Senior Member
Joined: 06/18/2001
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NRALIFR wrote:Specta, it looks like you have one of those old pre-OPD horizontals. Notice how the valve is sitting dead center in the tank end, and the valve handle is not the 3-corner style. There must be an internal dip tube that curves up into the vapor area of the cylinder. For that reason, there won’t be an OPD style valve available for that one. You may still be able to replace the valve with the same style and continue using the cylinder if it’s in good shape. I’m not sure what the rules say about revalving an older horizontal.
On the newer cylinder, the valve is offset from center, so it’s in the vapor area.
![[image]](https://i.postimg.cc/kGbVdMQL/IMG-3502.jpg)
Thank you. Here's tank that needs a new valve. The seal leaks when I have a hose attached to it.
This tank and the newer tank were in my current camper when I bought it. The larger tank was in my 1996 Skyliner when I bought it.
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NRALIFR
Truck Camping Out West
Senior Member
Joined: 11/27/2005
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Just for curiosity sake, how are your two non-OPD horizontals filled? Horizontally or vertically?
OPD horizontals have a label on them saying “Fill vertically, Use and transport horizontally”.
I’m guessing your old cylinders have to be filled horizontally?
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
Senior Member
Joined: 08/19/2009
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We had horizontals on our boat because the propane locker was too short for verticals. It was a hassle getting them filled. Even had one place argue they were homemade. Being on the water, regularly had to clean and repaint them to keep rust at bay.
If it ever got to the point where we had to replace them, the plan was to relocate them so we could use standard BBQ tanks (we sold the boat before that happened).
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and 5er
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specta
utah
Senior Member
Joined: 06/18/2001
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They fill them in the vertical position.
Now that you ask, I wonder if that's right way to fill them. ![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/confused.gif "confused") ![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
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